Nelson eyes first of many state berts

Published: October 10, 2001 12:00 AM

State qualifiers are a few and far between on the local tennis scene.

Triway freshman Jamie Nelson looks to be a fixture at that level, though, and will take her first shot Thursday at Jackson Park Courts. She needs a pair of wins and ultimately a top-five finish to qualify for the 26th-annual State Tennis Tournament, which will be held at The Ohio State University on October 19-20.

Nelson, the top seed out of the Canton Sectional, will open against Poland Seminary's Sylvia Pociask, the fourth-seed out of the Youngstown Sectional.

"I think I should be OK in my first-round (match)," said Nelson, who is 21-1 this season, losing only to Bay Village's Lara Maurer. "My second-round match should be a little tougher, but I should do all right."

If Nelson gets by Pociask, she anticipates a matchup with Walsh Jesuit's Emily Howard, the second-seed out of the Rocky River Sectional and a familiar foe.

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"I played Emily a lot when we were younger," said Nelson, whose first match will be at 9 a.m. sharp. "I remember she always beat me."

Considering a change in fortune against Howard, Nelson will secure a state trip and more action Saturday. Once there, she may get another shot at Maurer, who is the top seed out of the Rocky River Sectional.

"I would like to go to state. I've always wanted to," Nelson said. "I just hope it's not as cold as it was (at sectionals). I don't really mind the wind."